The Secretary of State for North Carolina is a publicly elected official for the state of North Carolina, heading the Department of the State, which oversees many of the economic and business-related operations of the state government. Unlike in many states, the secretary of state does not oversee state elections.

Current officeholder

Authority

(1) Officers. A Secretary of State, an Auditor, a Treasurer, a Superintendent of Public Instruction, an Attorney General, a Commissioner of Agriculture, a Commissioner of Labor, and a Commissioner of Insurance shall be elected by the qualified voters of the State in 1972 and every four years thereafter, at the same time and places as members of the General Assembly are elected. Their term of office shall be four years and shall commence on the first day of January next after their election and continue until their successors are elected and qualified. ...

Qualifications

There are no specific qualifications for this office.

Elections

The secretary of state in North Carolina is popularly elected every four years, in presidential election years. The secretary of state, barring any vacancies, will be elected in 2012, 2016, and 2020. The term of office is four years, and begins on the first day of January next after their election.

Term limits

There are no limitations on the number of terms an individual may hold the office of secretary of state.

Vacancies

Article III, Section 7 addresses vacancies in the office of secretary of state. In the event of a vacancy, the governor appoints a successor who will serve until a new officeholder is elected. The election coincides with the first election for members of the General Assembly that occurs more than 60 days after the seat becomes vacant.